Ecclesiastical supporting Rugby's Heritage

Ecclesiastical Insurance, based in Gloucester and one of the UK's leading specialist insurers have added their support to the Gloucester Rugby Community Heritage Project.

The Gloucester Rugby Community Heritage Project, is a partnership between Gloucester Rugby, Gloucestershire Archives, the Friends of Gloucestershire Archives and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project aims to capture, preserve, celebrate and share Gloucester's rich rugby history.

The project achievements to date have seen a vast amount of documents collated and catalogued by the project volunteers, the installation of heritage displays at Kingsholm and the creation of a new website dedicated to Gloucester Rugby Heritage.

Gary Little, Community Manager, Gloucester Rugby, said:

"The Heritage project has achieved so much in such a short time thanks to the funding received from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The support and investment from Ecclesiastical will enable us to develop the project further."

"We will be creating educational resources for schools across the county. Cross curricular resource packs will be produced for teachers, who can then use them to help educate and inspire young people through the power of rugby."

Chris Pitt, Head of Corporate Communications for Ecclesiastical, said:

"We're the country's leading insurer of heritage buildings, so getting behind the heritage experience is the perfect way to support Gloucester Rugby. The initiative is keeping the Club's history alive, whilst at the same time motivating younger people to learn."

He added:

"Ecclesiastical as an insurer work tirelessly to support people when they need it most, helping them get their lives and businesses back together after fires and floods for example."

"But we throw just as much energy and enthusiasm into volunteering and fundraising for local charities. This is just as important a part of our business."

"A responsible approach to the community in which we live and work is part and parcel of being a big part of Gloucester life. And it's also a big part of being a successful local business or sports club. Ecclesiastical Insurance is delighted to become a Gloucester Rugby's community partner."

And the final word to Heather Forbes, the County Archivist:

"It's great that a commercial sponsor has joined us. This will help us extend the benefits of the project by reaching even more schools."

After a good start, and dominating for long periods at the Ricoh, skipper Tom Savage spoke after the Wasps defeat to GRTV about the small things that Gloucester have to work on as well as focussing on some of the positives.

Gloucester Rugby will take on Wasps on Sunday in their first ever visit in the Aviva Premiership to the Ricoh Arena. Speaking to the local media today, Director of Rugby David Humphreys previewed the game as well as giving an update on the injured Henry Trinder.

Following the 48-10 Aviva Premiership win over London Welsh on Saturday, Dan Murphy praised his team mates for battling right up to the very last minute in difficult conditions and maintaining the momentum that the team have built in 2015.

Henry Purdy scored two memorable tries against London Welsh at Kingsholm on Saturday, and attributed the first one to hard work on the training ground before describing how much he's enjoying playing his rugby alongside friends like Callum Braley.

Premiership Rugby today announces a new partnership with Singha Beer, which confirms the premium Thai lager as the new title sponsor of the Premiership Rugby 7s Series and an official partner of Premiership Rugby.